Although it may sound cliché, communication is the key to a successful relationship. Whether a marriage is failing or a couple just wants to avoid potential pitfalls, the best tip for strengthening the bonds of matrimony center on building good communication skills. Learning effective communication skills can be the one and only trick a couple needs to enjoy a happy and healthy marriage. Communication can be difficult to master and requires practice, however. Fortunately, there are some great tips for improving communication as well as how to fix a marriage.

Understanding the importance of good communication is extremely important. According to Webster's Dictionary, the definition of communication is “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior." This means that effective communication is a two-way street. In a marriage, for example, both parties need to take part for an actual "exchange" to take place.

Communication should go well beyond sharing basic needs, such as grocery list additions and fix-it lists. Many couples engaged in healthy marriages say that everything from abstract thoughts, dreams, desires and even concerns and downright gripes need to be shared effectively and honestly for bonds to continue developing and strengthening.

When communication is effective in a happy marriage it is more likely that both parties will feel secure, contented and comfortable or at least very well assured about where they stand. Communication involves more than just speaking what is on your mind.

Active listening skills are as much a part of the communication process as talking and expressing your feelings. This is the two-way street part of the equation. To truly understand what your partner is saying, it is important to listen carefully.

The Family Dynamics Institute stresses the importance of listening to improve communication among partners. The institute suggests that couples "avoid the trap of focusing on talk to the exclusion of listen." When active listening occurs in communication, the parties involved are more likely to feel cared for and respected. This can open the door for conflict resolution and compromise. It is highly unlikely that problem-solving and open communication can occur when partners do not know how to truly listen to each other's concerns, cares, wishes, desires and even complaints.

Developing active listening skills that can aid with communication for a healthy marriage is an exercise in and of itself. Bnet.com offers solid advice on how to develop active listening skills for communication. The website points out that listening goes beyond just "hearing" what is stated. It also requires observing others as they communicate, maintaining eye contact, seeing issues from another person's perspective and even restating what has been said to truly ensure understanding has been reached.

Once the listening steps are completed, it is okay to reflect on what has been said, take part in a meaningful exchange and even offer feedback. The idea is to hear, understand, restate for clarity and then and only then comment and discuss. This can help prevent misunderstandings or what many couple's say is the bane of relationships – miscommunication.

In order to listen actively, communication has to take place. This might sound like a no-brainer, but it is not always that easy. In today's fast-paced world, finding the time to enjoy meaningful communication can be rather challenging. This is something many experts recommend couples make a priority. Making sure to set aside time for real communication and interaction is another tip that comes from the Family Dynamics Institute.

Planning set times for family and couple interaction can provide a great forum for sharing concerns, issues and tackling problems. The institute does point out that communication time does not need to be solely dedicated to airing concerns and gripes. "Strong families don't spend all their time communicating about programs or worries. They make time to talk about other matters of interest to every member of the family, both trivial and important."

When work schedules or other obligations make finding time to communicate effectively difficult, there are ways to overcome this obstacle. Some couples make dinnertime their sacred time; others pencil in a set afternoon every week. Whatever works for both of you is generally the way to go.

Even in the most healthy and happy marriages, issues can arise. Often, if issues go unresolved, couples find themselves wondering how to fix a marriage. Learning conflict-resolution skills and compromise can be an important part of mastering effective marriage communication, according to the Equality in Marriage Institute. "Without communication, it is nearly impossible to resolve conflicts or grow your partnership." Still, the institute acknowledges that effective communication takes a great deal of practice and effort. Compromise is often vital for "solving problems through communication." To achieve this, the institute suggests brainstorming for possible solutions to problems before even bringing them up.

CoupleCenter.com offers a variety of advice for couples to employ when trying to resolve conflicts through communication. Several of the key points offered include avoiding criticism, sarcasm and name-calling when trying to resolve conflicts. Rather than resolving conflicts, these behaviors can escalate them by putting the other person on the defensive. Instead, it is often recommended that couples use I statements rather than pointing fingers and assigning blame.

Focusing on the issue at hand when communicating and even trying to resolve a cause of disagreement is also important. When couples dig up the past and get off topic, the original conflict might be left on the table to fester. Staying on task can be difficult, but it can be beneficial for learning how to fix a marriage one conflict at a time.

When the concern is how to fix a marriage, there is a variety of marriage counseling programs available to help if self-repair has not done the trick. Counseling professionals are available through medical facilities, community organizations and even churches. Some programs, such as Virginia's Marriage Counseling Workshops, offer help on how to fix a marriage before the marriage even takes place. This particular program is designed to help couples learn the tricks of communication before they tie the knot so that they have the tools for a healthy marriage at hand from the start. Many couples that have faced issues and have overcome them recommend good counseling for opening the lines of communication when they are jammed but not completely broken.

Marriage is a partnership between two people that should last a lifetime. Unfortunately, marriage does not always last forever. Many couples that make it for the long haul say the trick to a successful marriage is nothing more than good communication. Learning good communication skills can help couples learn how to fix a marriage when problems arise.

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